{"id":11223,"date":"2023-11-20T15:34:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T22:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=11223"},"modified":"2024-01-29T15:21:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T22:21:37","slug":"how-to-clean-a-gas-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean a Gas Tank After Storage: Step-by-Step Instructions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Only drive one of your vehicles a few times a year? You’ll store your car for long periods of time<\/a>, anywhere from a few months to a few years. If you’re one of those drivers who retires your classic car for the winter, you’ll store your vehicle for the season<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter the case, before you fire up your vehicle after storage, wait!<\/strong><\/em> Make sure you know how to clean a gas tank first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediately after storage is a good time to ensure everything is clean and working properly before you head out on the road—especially when it comes to the fuel tank.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You never notice in daily-use vehicles, but fuel lasts about six months<\/strong>. If a car is stored with fuel in the tank for several months, that fuel can congeal in the tank and cause performance problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide will walk you through how to clean a gas tank that has been sitting after a vehicle has been in storage for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Clean a Gas Tank After Vehicle Storage: Ten Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Drain the gas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Uninstall the tank.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Clean the exterior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Wash with hot water and detergent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Wipe down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Inspect for damage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Install a new fuel filter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Add antifreeze.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Set out to dry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Reinstall the fuel tank.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. Drain the Fuel Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first step of how to clean a gas tank is to drain any excess fuel from the fuel tank. In some vehicles, there’s a valve or chock available to make this easy. In others, you will need to siphon out the remaining fuel using a hose and pump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drain the fuel into a plastic gas can or a pan. It will likely have rust and sediment, especially near the bottom, so do not plan on reusing this fuel. You’ll need to store the fuel in a fuel caddy<\/strong> until it can be properly disposed of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (We’ll talk about how to dispose of the fuel and the rinse-out liquid safely later on.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Remove the Fuel Tank From the Vehicle<\/h3>\n\n\n
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    \"Owner<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    The next step is to remove the gas tank so that you can clean it more effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First, pull up the manual for your vehicle; they are often available online or by request. Flip to the fuel tank section and follow the instructions to carefully remove the fuel tank from the housing. Initially, you’ll want to leave the fuel pump, valves, and caps in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will want to use a tray to keep track of any screws and fasteners that are taken out during this process. Keep the correct tools handy so you can easily reinstall the tank when the cleaning process is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the fuel tank is free, you can remove the fuel pump and any valve hardware that may still be attached. Again, follow the directions in your vehicle’s maintenance manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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